Feeling Festive | Stocking Fillers For The Whole Family

Stockings and stocking fillers were never a thing when I was growing up, we just had presents. However, my two boys have always had a stocking and now I always get a stocking at Christmas too! I love hanging ours from the mantelpiece although last year they got hung from door handles as we’d gotten rid of the mantel in our old house.

I know I keep harping on about it but we are so lucky to have an incredibly beautiful fireplace in our new house and I’m desperate for a big bushy garland on the top and to see the stockings hanging down this year. I’ve got to get some decent holders, mind.

Some people like to hand out their stockings on Christmas Eve, others like to fill them up and hang them off the bed post. I know people who don’t have stockings but have full on Christmas Eve boxes for the whole family, but what if you could combine the two? A big family stocking that you open on Christmas Eve or at the beginning of December to ensure the festivities last for as long as possible?

Here are a few stocking fillers/Christmas Eve box ideas that the whole family can get in on!

I’d love to get Jamie in on it as well but I’m not sure I’ll be able to convince him. Either way, everyone should have new pyjamas for Christmas and ours will be coming out at the beginning of December.

New Christmas Mugs

Everyone needs a Christmas mug in their life, truly. You can’t have a good festive hot chocolate in one of your normal cups, you really do need a dedicated mug! Matalan have such a good range this year so it’s worth having a look in places you wouldn’t normally think of.

Stocking Fillers – DVDs

The pyjamas are on, you’ve got a hot chocolate in hand so it’s only right you get a Christmas movie on, right? This year is the first year I’ve seen Polar Express and I love it! But that doesn’t mean you can’t also enjoy the classics such as Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street, as well as some of the newer hits such as ‘Elf’.

I’d love to know your favourite Christmas film!

Stocking Fillers – Chocolates

Chocolates are an essential over Christmas. Whether you’re picking at them throughout the day, save them for a lunch time treat or have a good handful during your Christmas film you simply can’t not have chocolate.

Chocolates for Chocoholics do the most divine assortment boxes and they taste amazing. Jamie said ‘they’re better than Thorntons’ and I don’t think I can argue with him too much because they are so good.

These 14 Christmas chocolates came in a stunning red box, were festively themed and included praline, caramel, dark chocolate ganache and strawberry cream.

Jamie and I had to half some of them so we each got a bit of each one, though I let him loose on the ones that contained coffee and cinnamon! Without a doubt, we’ll be getting some more when December rolls in.

Gingerbread House Kit

Because who doesn’t love baking at Christmas? Plus it gives you a chance to do something on a super cold day and the kids (and you) will love eating the finished product! There are loads of kits around, or if you’re feeling brave, you could design your own. I saw quite a few in different supermarkets last year and they were super cheap with all the things you need inside!

A Family Christmas Decoration

I think it’s lovely to have a new bauble on the tree every year, so I try and buy a special one, whether it’s something that represents our family best at the time, or something that evokes a memory we have together. You could even make your own – there are lots of easy salt dough recipes floating around on Pinterest, if you’re that kind of person.

Alternatively you could make sure you all decorate the mantel piece, or each have a special place on the tree that you get to decorate. Get the your pyjamas on, make a hot chocolate and turn up the Christmas tunes!